Monday, 20 February 2012

LIBERTY GUEST BLOG: DRAW IN LIGHT AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

MONDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2012, 2 TEMPLE PLACE - LIFE DRAWING PRESENTATION

Polly Wilkinson is one half
of London design duo Draw In Light, who were discovered at the
Liberty Best of British Design Open Call. Polly,
together with Harriet Barford, makes beautifully hand printed pieces which are
available online and in store now. Polly kept a diary of her day as they
presented at London Fashion Week, in a unique set-up where artists took
part a live life drawing class whilst modelling the Draw In Light Autumn Winter
2012 collection…

2:00am My day starts. Going
through what we need for the show in my head, making sure we remembered
everything! I try to get some more sleep.

4:30am Jump into the
shower, do my make-up and get dressed into a white shirt, black cashmere
jumper, silk jacquard trousers and Dries Van Noten perspex heel boots. Feeling
anxious about the show.

6:00 My car arrives. In it
already is Brian Doherty, our set photographer. We drive on to pick up Harry,
dressed in a beautiful red paint Draw In Light dress with creeper boots, and
head into Fashion central.

7:00 The set is ready from
the day before; hair and make-up prepare their stations. The models, life
models and art teacher arrive. The hair team is headed up by Yumi who has just
got back from shows in New York.

7:30 Harriet has her fringe
cut by Yumi whist I get a blow dry. Models are made to look like English
schoolgirls, fresh faced and natural with a British side-parting and slight
scruff… We have cast a mix of real Central Saint Martins students and
models from Premiere.

10:00 A last scuffle as we
get the final things in place. Running only a few minutes late…

10:10 Press, buyers, family
and friends enter into the class, including Norman, Harriet’s 91-year-old
grandfather. It is an intimate affair: my two sisters, Phoebe and Hermione,
model and draw in the class.

10:30 The class is in full
swing and the teacher is directing the girls and life models in practice and
poses.

11:00 Caroline Issa
arrives along with Susie Bubble and sister Louisa Lau – dressed
in Draw In Light. Max from Art Wednesday pops in and tells us while tweeting
what an innovative idea he thinks this is.

11:30 The room has a great
atmosphere and mix of people looking at the live class, sketches and drawings
that have been produced.

11:45 The class is told to finish
off their drawings, which by now have got a beautiful flow to them.

12:00 Our Nudes are
applauded for the uninhibited generousity they showed to bare all in the name
of fashion and art.

12:05 North6 production
have whisked us out of the room, our set is cleared and we are back in the
green room to pack up our kit and change the girls.

We only found out about our
presentation at LFW last Monday so it is an incredible feat… Our team have been
dedicated and hard working over the last five days to get the show ready.

The result of all that
effort was a flurry of interest in Draw In Light, the support from Caroline
Issa, Yasmin Swell, Susie Bubble, Kyle Robinson and Paper Mache Tiger
(our agent) along with Tamsin Blanchard from the Telegraph was
integral to its success. Relative|Mo played the biggest part of all our
supporters for offering us the opportunity to express ourselves as Draw In
Light. Harry and I are now sitting in our local pub in Hackney eating pizza,
drinking wine with our wonderful team, feeling humbled, proud and happy. Thank
you especially to Liberty London for being Draw In Light’s first
stockist and believing in us. We hold you in the highest esteem.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Harry&Polly

Harry&Polly AKA Draw In Light

Draw In Light is Harry Barford and Polly Wilkinson, founded in 2009. Using free hand silk-screen techniques to produce their clothes. Draw In Light have a signature style of individuality, ethereal beauty and raw edged femininity.
Now in its eighth season, Draw In Light are stocked in 20 stores worldwide and design, print and process in their London studio.
Everything is Unique.